Bohermeen Celtic sparkle in high-class showdown
Eva Mae Connolly scores golden goal as Dunshaughlin Youths battle bravely until the end
Bohermeen Celtic1
Dunshaughin Youths0
The players who took part in this u-12 McGuinn Brennan Cup final had to be up and about early. They had to have their porridge early.
This was one of the first games played in the series of NECSL deciders fixed for the MDL today - but despite the early start both sides served up a cracker of a contest.
This showdown had all the ingredients anybody could want to see in a game of football - skill, pace, commitment and loads of honest endeavour. In short this was a right dinger of a contest that kept the audience enthralled from start to finish.
It was easy to see how or why both these games made it to a final. They are composed of quaility players and when unstinting dedication to the cause is added to the mix then there is always likely to be something special produced.
It has hardly surprising either that one goal would be enough to claim the honours - and that precious, golden goal was scored by Eva Mae Connolly. It arrived 11 minutes into the second-half and it was special with a capital S.
The talented Bohermeen player won the ball in midfield. She beat one opponent, then another, than another. She was still a long way from the Dunghaughlin Youths goals. undaunted Eva Mae took aim and pulled the trigger.
She unleashed a powerful shot. The ball flew in a low trajectory and ended up in the back of the net. Dunshaughlin Youths goalkeeper Roslyn Foley made a brave effort to keep it out.
It would have have taken an exceptional save to stop the ball from entering the net such was the power the shot contained.
Goalkeeper Foley was, in truth, one of the heroes of her team. She made a number of super stops through this game. She was particularly busy in the second-half as Bohermeen pressed and pressed, searching for the crucial breakthrough.
Bohermeen Celtic created a series of good chances throughout the contest. In the opening half Leanne Coyne and Lily Reilly combined well and almost found a way through.
Kayla Coyne also got Hollie Rose McDonnell through with a piercing pass. In the second-half Rose Martin conjured up another of her skilful runs down the right and played in Lily Reilly but only some superb defending from Dunshaughlin prevented a goal. Leanne Coyne also forced a brilliant save from Dunshaughlin's goalkeeper.
Dunshaughlin Youths had their chances too. Early on Layla Collins sent in a dipping shot that Bohermeen Celtic's number one Alanna O'Brien did well to save.
Roslyn Naughton caused all sorts of problems with mazy runs down the right and she too forced a top notch save from O'Brien. In the second-half Layla Collins had a fine shot saved also by the Bohermeen custodian on two separate incidents. Caelainn Malone and Lauren Rafter were constant threats for the Youths.
The work put in by both defences was of the highest order making it difficult for both sets of attackers to find a way through. It all made for an engrossing contest. It was left up to Connolly to find a way through her unstoppable shot eventually proving to be the winner.
At the end Bohermeen Celtic players but in truth everyone was a hero at the end of this contest. Everyone was a winner.
Bohermeen Celtic squad - Alanna O'Brien; Eva Mae Connolly, Rose Martin, Pearl Powderly, Kayla Coyne, Eva Casserly, Leanne Coyne, Lily Reilly, Hollie Rose McDonnell, Pia Clarke, Abbie Fitzgerald, Kim Kavanagh.
Dunshaughlin Youths squad - Rosyln Foley, Roslyn Naughon, Ava McDaid, Orla Geraghty, Layla Collins, Anna Smith, Emily Bolton, Ava Kelly, Emily O'Connor, Caelainn Malone, Lauren Rafter ,Caitlin Conron, Aoife O'Shea.
Referee - Stuart Harpur; assistants - Pat Henry, Jason Sheerin.
SEE MORE REPORTS AND PHOTOS FROM THIS AND OTHER GAMES IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE.